Different strokes
Dovizioso wants to fight Marquez for world title until the end
Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo (right) and Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez posing with their machines and racquets after a friendly match against former national shuttlers Rashid Sidek (inset, left) and Yap Kim Hock (inset, right) at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, yesterday. Lorenzo and Marquez are in town for the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
ANDREA Dovizioso trails Spaniard Marc Marquez by 33 points but the Italian rider has not given up on the MotoGP world title fight.
The Ducati rider returns to Sepang for the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend looking to repeat the high of last year.
It was here last year that Dovizioso ended a seven-year title drought by claiming the second victory of his MotoGP career from pole position in a wet Malaysian GP race.
Dovizioso has won five races this year and started the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Phillip Island last weekend only 11 points behind Marquez.
However, he had a tough day at the office in Australia. Qualifying in 11th spot and then mak- ing an early mistake at Turn 1 after having moved forward, the Italian dropped down to 20th position before mounting a fightback.
The 31-year-old rider managed to finish 13th but, with title rival Marquez of Repsol Honda Team winning the race, the world title fight may be out of his reach this Sunday.
Marquez is on top in the MotoGP standings with 269 points.
Dovizioso is second with 236 points, followed by Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales of Spain on 219.
“The race in Australia was a big disappointment and we really lost a lot of points in the championship.
“My mistake in the early stages of the race complicated things and maybe even the choice of the rear tyre was not the best one. But our bike struggled a lot.
“In fact, none of the Ducatis were very quick in Phillip Island.
“It’s a pity because at this point of the season it would have been better to be closer to Marquez in the standings.
“Now we have to think of Malaysia where, quite simply, we’ll have to give it our all.
“I hope to take the fight all the way (to the final round in Valencia, Spain from Nov 10-12),” said Dovizioso, who won in Italy, Spain, Austria, Britain and Japan this year.
Dovizioso’s partner Jorge Lorenzo finished 15th in Phillip Island last Sunday and is also hoping for a better outing at the Sepang International Circuit.
“It was a weekend to forget in Phillip Island because we were never competitive.
“Now we are going to Sepang with confidence because it’s a track that is certainly better suited to our bike,” said three-time world champion from Spain Lorenzo.